CALIFORNIA --A pack of pit bulls involved in a violent attack on another dog last month in Campo have been euthanized at the owners’ request, county officials confirmed Thursday.

All five dogs were put down as of Wednesday, according to a spokesperson for the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services.

The pack managed to dig under a fence and get into Dan Hare’s backyard on Jan. 24 where they mauled Hare’s Bull Mastiff named Ziggy.

Ziggy was recovering from more than 350 puncture wounds, according to Hare.

“Like a deer. It was like a dead deer, and they were just ripping him apart at both ends," said Hare.

Hare was also injured when he tried to step in and help Ziggy, suffering severe bite wounds to his hand, wrist and leg.

The put bull owners share a fence with Hare and had posted a "Beware of Dog" sign facing Hare's property.

The Jan. 24 incident wasn't the first time Hare said the dogs had broken through the fence. He said he was previously "nipped" by one of the dogs.

He said he planned to sue his neighbor to cover veterinary and medical costs and lost wages.

“The law is quite clear that the responsibility lies with the dog owner to prevent their dogs from running loose and not the neighbors,” said Daniel DeSousa, Deputy Director of the Department of Animal Services.

DeSousa said Hare requested a private person’s arrest against the dog owners. The case is still under investigation.

In the meantime, the pit bulls’ owners relinquished the animals to the county and agreed to have them euthanized.

Unless the person is prosecuted and they understand that they are responsible for what their dogs do, they'll just go out and get more pit bulls. They need to be criminally prosecuted.

“It is always unfortunate when a dog is euthanized due to the lack of responsibility on the part of the dog owner. Once it was known that these dogs were getting into the neighbor's yard, the dog owners should have taken the necessary steps to prevent that from ever happening again,” DeSousa added.

After the investigation, the case will be submitted to the District Attorney's Office for a determination as to whether charges would be filed.

NORTH CAROLINA -- A Fayetteville woman has been arrested for allegedly allowing her family dog to starve to death.

Cumberland County Sheriff's Detectives said that 49-year-old Stephanie Bates allowed her three-year-old boxer Bruno to starve after he was diagnosed with gastro-intestinal issues.

Bates' veterinarian prescribed Bruno medication in October of 2013, but Bates didn't bring her dog back until January 31, 2014. The vet said Bruno's condition had not improved and he would need to have additional medication and a special diet.

One year later, in January 2015, Bates called the vet to ask about euthanizing Bruno. The vet refused to comply without examining the pet first.

Bates surrendered Bruno to Cumberland County Animal Control. He was extremely emaciated and could barely stand on his own, according to authorities. The vet had to euthanize Bruno after the dog suffered a cardiac arrest.

Animal Control contacted the Sheriff's Department, and Bates was later arrested and charged with one count of felony animal cruelty.

OREGON -- It may have been reckless, but it wasn't an assault when a woman exposed her 10-year-old daughter to an aggressive dog that bit her twice -- once on the neck and once in the face, which required three stitches.

The Oregon Court of Appeals made the finding this week when it reversed the criminal mistreatment conviction against Elesia English.

English's daughter was petting the sleeping dog on a summer day in 2011 when it awoke and bit her neck, puncturing the skin and drawing blood. Later the girl was stroking the dog as they rode in a car together when the animal bit her face, splitting her lip and scratching her nose and cheek. The wound required a trip to the hospital.

The mother and her boyfriend were subsequently convicted of first-degree criminal mistreatment, a felony that requires a person to "knowingly engage in assaultive conduct."

Washington County prosecutors argued at trial that English knew her boyfriend's dog had a propensity to bite and that knowledge met the requirements of first-degree criminal mistreatment. Circuit Judge Suzanne Upton agreed and found English guilty on two counts -- one for each bite.

According to court records, the judge sentenced English to about two years in prison.

The dog had a history of biting, at least when provoked. Earlier that summer, a 3-year-old boy needed 12 stitches after the dog bit his face. And when the same 10-year-old girl accidentally stepped on its tail, the dog chomped down on her arm.

But on appeal, the mother argued "keeping a dog that has a history of biting children in proximity to a child is not an assaultive act."

Attorneys for the state disagreed and contended that English knew that not getting rid of the dog would lead to her daughter's injury. That act was a failure of her legal obligation to care for her child, prosecutors argued, and thereby constituted an assault.

The appeals court, however, pointed out the obvious: Mom didn't directly inflict an injury. She exposed the girl to a dog -- "an intervening actor" -- that caused the wounds.

At most, the court said in an opinion released Wednesday, the behavior was reckless. But it did not rise to the level of criminal mistreatment.

"To prove that defendant knew her conduct was assaultive, the state would have needed evidence that defendant knowingly used the dog to engage in assaultive conduct," the court wrote in its ruling.

The mother's boyfriend, Kevin Faill, also appealed his conviction, which is pending.

An arrest warrant in Oklahoma County accuses Shane DeRyckere of aggravated possession of child pornography, and it’s not the first time he has been arrested for the same crime.

At a Days Inn last month, Oklahoma City police were called to investigate an unresponsive woman. After waking her up, police searched her phone and discovered hundreds of pictures of underage girls.

That phone belonged to DeRyckere.

According to court records, investigators found “1,930 images showing young females on the phone… many between the ages of 11 and 17… as well as 25 images depicting bestiality… including sex acts involving dogs or horses.”

The suspect’s neighbors understandably say they’re disgusted by the allegations.

“I just don’t understand anybody like that. You know he’s a grown man,” said Martin.

A search of court records in Pottawatomie county shows the suspect got charged last year with aggravated possession and distribution of child porn, downloading obscene material and more in a different case.

Investigators say the suspect allegedly logged onto a website called MeetMe.com and wrote “I want girls under 13″ hoping to acquire child porn.

When officers went to his home, the suspect allegedly “admitted creating and using numerous social media accounts to speak to younger girls…as well as trade pictures of child pornography.”

According to court records, the suspect worked as a staff sergeant with the Air National Guard.

The suspect posted bond following his criminal charges in Pottawatomie County.

After his second arrest last week in Oklahoma County, he once again was able to post bond.

CALIFORNIA -- A Southern California man whose German shepherd chewed off most of its own leg after being tied up outside for a week will have an abuse charge dropped if he completes a mandated course on animal care.

Twenty-three-year-old Samer Samir Ibrahim appeared in an Orange County court on Thursday, but did not enter a plea.

District attorney's spokeswoman Roxy Fyad says the animal abuse charge will be dismissed if the program is completed by May 27. Ibrahim will pay for the course.

Authorities said the 11-month-old dog named Rocky was poorly fed while tethered for days.

Prosecutors say the dog's leg became tangled, cutting off blood flow. Rocky chewed off about 5 inches of his leg to get free.

Veterinarians later amputated the rest. The dog recovered and was adopted.

TEXAS -- Eight teenagers from Comanche County, Texas, have been either arrested or cited by the police after it was found that they were behind the torture and killing of a pet emu.

According to Action 4 News, Cassius Mankin, an 18-year-old high school football player, has been named the primary suspect and has been charged with animal cruelty, criminal misdemeanor, and theft.

The other seven teenagers, who are suspected to be in the group that committed the crime against the pet emu, have not been named yet.

According to a USA Today report, the incident that led to the arrest of the eight teenagers dates back to February 14, 2015.

On Valentine’s Day, Carol and Bob Falk slept their one-year-old pet emu, “Miss Molly,” in her secure pen and retired for the night. That very night, the pet emu was allegedly stolen from the pen by the teenagers and later tortured and beaten to death.

Bob Falk is not sure what happened to Molly after she was stolen. However, the stories he heard has shocked him. The teenagers reportedly punched out the eyes of the hapless pet emu, after which it was choked and killed.

“It was tortured by having its eyes punched out, and as far as I can determine, the animal was choked and killed.”

“We feel like we’ve lost a special part of our family,” Carol Falk told USA Today.

Meanwhile, in a press release, the Comanche County Sheriff’s office has said that it “anticipates charges to be forthcoming, up to and including: Animal cruelty, theft, illegal dumping, criminal trespass and criminal mischief.”

It is unknown, however, if all the youngsters involved in the case would be charged and tried for their crime. Cassius Mankin has, in the meantime, managed to secure bail after paying a $20,000 bond.

Cassius Mankin has been, after his arrest, suspended from all extracurricular activities by the superintendent of Comanche Independent School District. In fact, the high school football player might face even more severe disciplinary charges if it is proven that Cassius was, indeed, behind the cruel torture and subsequent killing of the pet emu.

For the family of Miss Molly, though, nothing will bring back their dear pet emu. The family remains distraught at the cruel manner in which their dear emu was killed.

Authorities are still unsure as to what prompted the teenagers to torture and kill the pet emu.

VERMONT -- Forty dogs and three cats were rescued Wednesday from a property in Eden.

Vermont State Police served a search warrant on the property Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and discovered close to 100 animals, mainly dogs, were being housed in appalling conditions, most without access to clean water, food and sanitary living conditions.

The Humane Society of Chittenden County and other area organizations — including the Central Vermont Humane Society, the Humane Society of the United States, the North Country Animal League, and Spring Hill Horse Rescue — are assisting in the rescue and removal.

The owner is cooperating with authorities and has already released many of the animals for adoption. However, many have critical care needs that will need to be assessed before they’re released for adoption.

“This is a classic case of an overwhelmed rescuer who didn’t know where to turn for help,” said Anne Ward, director of operations for the Central Vermont Humane Society. “In many ways, she was relieved and welcomed the support. I’m glad we could be there to help her and her animals.”

Animals removed by the rescue team were taken to an undisclosed site in Chittenden County for triage, temporary shelter and adoption. A team of veterinarians are examining every animal and treatment will be managed at the temporary site.

Donations to support the care of these animals may be made to Humane Society of Chittenden County, Rescue Event, 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, VT 05403 or by phoning Claire at 802-862-0135, ext. 15. Information: email bestfriends@chittendehumane.org.

This investigation will continue jointly with the Lamoille County State’s Attorney’s Office, with the possibility that cruelty to animals charges will be filed.

GEORGIA -- Owners and their dogs of all shapes and sizes gathered on the corner of 10th Street and Broadway in downtown Columbus Friday to stand up for bullied breeds.

The protest "Pit-In" was organized after an article was published in a local newspaper about a dog attack.

"The article had a lot of backlash from people online saying very violent things about pit bulls and how they should be hunted down and killed and being an owner of a few pit bulls that is very worrisome," explains 'Pit-In' organizer Caroline Traywick.

Demonstrators say it is all about education and awareness.

They hope to reverse the stereotype pit-mixes have in the community.

"I think every dog is unique. I don't think you can label any particular breed. It is all about being a good dog owner and treating your dog with respect. They just want to be loved," says supporter Alina Chalkley.

Leslie Timberlake, a manager at Paws Humane, says a pit bull is not a specific breed but the term casts a wide net around dogs that have specific traits.

"When people think of a pit bull with a big block head, stockier body, that's a physical characteristic," says Timberlake.

She says studies have shown that pit bulls are no more prone to harm a person or another animal than any other breed of dog.

This is absolutely NOT true. How many children are attacked by Shelties? How many owners are attacked by their pet King Charles Spaniels?

"Those animals who bite, harm or injure are a product of nature and nurture. So how humans raise an animal is a critical part of that puzzle," explains Timberlake.

Experts say that not letting a dog socialize, or receive improper training, or abuse can trigger an attack in any breed.

"The best thing we can do is be the best breed ambassadors we can be," explains supporter Miles Greathouse.

"There are no bad dogs or bad dog breeds," says Traywick, "It's all up to the owners."

INDIANA -- An Evansville dog owner is claiming abuse – and her photo on Facebook has gone viral, being shared nearly 15,000 times. The pictures of a 13-year-old collie has swept the nation and animal lovers are claiming cruelty. But the groomer says she was doing the dog a favor.

“We can't just bathe and brush this dog,” says Evansville Pet Grooming Owner, Mary Miller. That's what dog owner Kathryn Penland says she wanted for her collie, Sierra. “You can't get through this matting. It's going to have to be cut,” adds Miller.

What Penland wanted simply couldn't be done.

Miller says Penland left her dog at the groomer after signing off to have Sierra shaved to remove its matted hair. “There are a lot of times people bring dogs in, and we can't do what they want because the coat won't let us,” she says.

Veterinarian at Greebrier Animal Hospital, Dr. Rick Lawson says this isn't an uncommon thing, “An older collie, one that's 13, I would say that's pretty normal. As they get older they tend not to groom themselves as much.”

Animal lovers on Facebook are claiming abuse. Since the picture was posted, the groomer says she has gotten calls from as far away as California talking about what she did to the dog. But the vet says the haircut might be doing the dog a favor.

“It relieves the animal a lot of any type of itching or uncomfortableness,” says Lawson, “Frees up the hair and free up the skin to try to prevent any type of disease formation.”

The groomer claims the owner gave permission for everything that was done and that the dog is probably better off because of it. “To de-mat a dog like this, a 13-year-old dog, it would be pure torture, if it could even be done, which in our opinion, no.”

It seems to be a case of misunderstanding and misinformation; the owner going in expecting a bath but the dog just not able to get one.

The groomer says it's surprising how many dog owners don't keep their long-haired dogs combed all the way down to the skin. An important lesson to prevent matting.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of a year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Police said they seized the animals from the Butterfield Farm cheese-making operation on Jan. 16. The dairy is located on Hautboy Road in Cornwall.

Although they lived in a MILLION DOLLAR home,

Connecticut handed them $50,000

in taxpayer money to start a goat milk business(!)

Bryson and Hearl are accused of failing to properly feed, water and shelter the herd. Many of the animals were found to be emaciated, police said.

Police said the care of the animals put them at risk for parasites and disease.

Bryson was arrested on Thursday, but was free after posting a $60,000 bond. She's scheduled to face a judge on March 10 in Bantam.

Hearl turned himself in to Suffield police on Friday. He'll also be arraigned later in Bantam.

"This was an extremely complicated case that presented unique challenges both in handling the goats and in investigating the actions of their owners," said Steven K. Reviczky, agriculture commissioner.

“But this case also demonstrates that our department has no tolerance for the abuse and neglect of animals, and will do whatever it takes to hold accountable anyone who does not fulfill their responsibilities to livestock or pets in their care.”

The state agriculture department has been granted ownership of the goats. The animals are recovering at a rehabilitation facility in Niantic.

UNITED KINGDOM -- A fighting dog which tore a family pet ‘to pieces’ in a Mansfield park as a woman tried to protect her nine-month-old granddaughter, has been ordered to be destroyed.

Magistrates in Mansfield made the decision after hearing how the vicious pit bull-type animal targeted the family pet and caused ‘life-threatening’ injuries that have so far cost the owner more than £1,336 in vets bills.

The dog owner, Rio Kianne Norris (20) of Charlesworth Court, Mansfield Woodhouse, admitted a charge of possessing a fighting dog and being in charge of a dangerous dog that was out of control.

The court was told how a woman had been pushing her granddaughter in a pushchair through the park, while walking the family Japanese spitz dog on a lead.

Outlining the case the prosecution, Ruth Snodin, said the woman then saw three dogs running loose, one of them being the grey pit bull dog.

It then ran over and clamped its jaws around the spitz as the grandmother pushed the pushchair out of the way to protect the baby, before screaming for help.

She said Norris stood there ‘without a care in the world’ before Norris’ sister attempted to restrain the pit bull, using kicks, punches and a metal chain.

The dog was rushed to the vets with bites, lacerations, haemorrhaging and puncture wounds to the stomach.

The court was also told that Norris had shown no remorse since the attack, which had left the grandmother traumatised.

Norris had even taken to Facebook and ‘liked’ remarks against having dangerous dogs put down, which Mrs Snodin described as being ‘insensitive’.

Mrs Snodin added: “There’s a real lack of remorse, she seems more concerned about getting her dog back.”

Defending, Donna Pursglove, said Norris had the put bull, named Bailey, for three years and had never been aggressive towards others before.

She said that the dog was usually kept on a lead but that day had escaped from her sister’s house, along with the other two dogs that had been running lose.

She said Norris was also ‘distraught’ when she was shown photographs the injuries Bailey had caused, adding: “It was a very horrible incident and Miss Norris accepts that.”

Norris was given 120 hours community service and banned from keeping a dog for five years.
She was also ordered to pay out £880 in compensation.

She left the court in tears after the magistrates told her the dog was to be destroyed.

ARIZONA -- An investigation into drug trafficking in the West Valley uncovered a large cock fighting and dog fighting operation in Tolleson.

Maricopa County sheriff's detectives found more than 50 roosters and eight dogs used for fighting, and some smaller dogs used as bait. They also found steroids and chains hanging from trees, reportedly used to train those animals.

Small dogs found caged are believed to have been used as bait animals.

"This our fourth large investigation of animal cruelty this month," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said. "I think in one of them we seized over 100 animals, so this is going on and on and on abusing animals. There's something wrong going on in this county."

Deputies arrested four people at the Tolleson house on drug charges and they could face more charges involving the animals, Arpaio said.

MICHIGAN -- A jury has convicted a 23-year-old Bay City man on an animal killing charge for running over a badly burned schnauzer with his vehicle.

Aaron A. Bellor

The Bay County Circuit Court jury on Thursday found Aaron A. Bellor guilty of a felony charge of unlawfully killing an animal and a misdemeanor charge of failing to adequately care for an animal.

The Bay City Times says the killing of the dog named Sassy happened January 22nd, 2014.

A sheriff's detective says Bellor told him that he "accidentally" poured boiling water on the schnauzer while making breakfast and its fur fell out, so he ran the dog over to "put it out of its misery".

Sentencing is March 30th. The charges carry a maximum of four years in prison.

UNITED KINGDOM -- A COUNTY dog warden has been left lost for words after more “appalling” cases of dog cruelty in Wyre Forest have come to light.

In January, the Shuttle reported how a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, named Skeeter, had been been found in Spennels Valley Nature Reserve, in December in "pain and severe discomfort".

Since then, Pip Singleton, who works for Worcestershire Regulatory Services, has revealed the pitiful tales of defenceless dogs found in Wyre Forest, in a bid to get residents to think twice before getting a pet if they can’t afford the time or money it deserves.

Her actions follow the discovery of a Pug, named ‘Pugley’ by carers, who was found at Kidderminster train station on January 14, where he had been dumped.

Pugley, believed to be aged two, had severed demodectic mange, all his glands were up and swollen, he had a high temperature, hip dysplasia in both back legs and eye and ear infections. He is on antibiotics and is receiving love and care at a foster home, but faces an uphill struggle before his pain will subside.

Minnie Mouse, a Cairn Cross, had a completely matted and filthy coat, which took three people to clip off, when she was found in Stourport on January 24. They eventually weighed the dreadlocks which came in at over 2kg. She had lumps hanging from her – one was a hernia and her intestines were hanging below her body in the hernia. She now faces a huge operation to sort her hernia out and put her intestines back in the right place.

Pip said: “Words fail me and I can’t get my head around why someone would watch as these defenceless creatures suffer. Surely it takes less effort to give us a call and ask for help.

“Minnie can hardly get around with these massive lumps hanging from her body and if Pugley had been treated for his symptoms early on, he would have been fine.

“This is totally unnecessary and I want everyone to think twice before they even contemplate getting a pet. And if there is a slightest doubt that you haven’t got the money or time to give, then don’t do it.”

“But tragic events like these also bring out the kindness in people who have seen these and other cases on social media and have made donations of food, bedding and offers of home. Pip and her colleagues should be commended as I know it is more than a job to them.”

A box of five puppies were also found dumped in Kidderminster and taken to a local vets, as they were in such bad condition. Three of the puppies were in particularly poor condition and underweight, and started fitting. They were given a huge amount of medication and with a lot of time, patience and veterinary treatment; they have made a full recovery and will go on to find homes.

If you are thinking of getting a pet but need more advice, are struggling to care for a current animal or suspect somebody of neglect, contact the dog warden on 01905 822799.